![]() The seamlessly layered flavors build to a crescendo of fresh and juicy black-fruit, accented with hints of orange zest, licorice and dark chocolate. Elegant notes of violets, white pepper and rose petals follow and together they deliver a very seductive bouquet. The Opus One 2018 offers profuse aromas of blackberry, cassis and black cherry. Harvest began on September 19th with a steady pace that continued until the last fruit arrived on October 25th. While the season got off to a later start, veraison occurred only seven days later than the average which gave the fruit the necessary time to ripen perfectly. Flawless conditions ensued during flowering and fruit set which led to higher-than-average yields. Just before budbreak provided the necessary water for canopy development. The beginning of the year was notably dry however, well-timed rainfall The vineyards enjoyed idyllic growing conditions with consistent weather and milder temperatures in 2018. Uniquely, Overture captures the essence of our estate across vintages therefore the exact blend and cellar approach will always differ from Opus One. Overture reflects the proportion of Bordeaux-heritage grape varieties planted on our estate: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Yet, when these remaining lots are afforded additional time in French oak barrels, coupled with the added flexibility of blending across multiple vintages, the final wine, Overture, achieves remarkable elegance, complexity and approachability.Īs a natural extension of the creation of Opus One, Overture’s varietal composition evolves based on the lot selections made for each vintage. This diligence carries through the extensive blending process, and not all wine-lots from our estate are chosen for the final Opus One blend. We meticulously cultivate each section of our estate vineyard with the attention to detail and singular focus required to produce Opus One. Since 1993, we have created Overture as a result of our highly selective process for Opus One. Like the introduction of a great musical piece, Overture, the wine, presents elements of the exceptional work itself, although certainly not in its entirety or full complexity. In the tradition of many great Bordeaux estates, Opus One produces a fine second wine called Overture. After 18 months, the wine is bottled and held an additional 15 months until release on October 1st each year. From tasting berries to careful sorting and extended aging in new French oak barrels, each stage of the winemaking process is afforded the same meticulous consideration and attention. Guided by the vision of our founders, our winemaker, Michael Silacci, combines intuition and technical acumen with the dual perspective of viticulturist and winemaker. When modern techniques benefit the winegrowing process, they are researched, evaluated and integrated into practice. In the vineyards, hand-harvesting and other traditional approaches are taken wherever they work best. These are complemented by the combined 70 acres of the Ballestra and River parcels, which envelop the winery. Two parcels, totaling 100 acres, are within the renowned To Kalon Vineyard. The estate vineyards of Opus One, comprised of 4 parcels, sit in the western portion of the famed Oakville AVA. Nearly four decades later, we continue to refine the complex subtleties of Opus One by honoring traditional methods and the continual pursuit of innovation and improvement. When our founders created Opus One, they dreamed of a great wine that would transcend generations. This singular mission shapes every vintage, today and for generations to come. Together, our founders set out to create a single wine dedicated to the pursuit of uncompromising quality. As with most 2013 Cabernets from California, this wine will be best after some good bottle age, but it is already very impressive.Opus One is the realized dream of two men: Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi. This is incredible glossy, smooth and refined for a wine with such power and length - a true mid-Atlantic style that brings the best of both Napa and Bordeaux together. Through the mid-palate there are smoky wood spices from the new oak that are in harmony with the concentrated fruit. They add a ripe, mouthfilling texture at this young stage that shows the wine's ageing potential. The tannins, whilst a strong backbone to the wine, are incredibly refined. The palate shows incredible purity of ripe black fruit, blackcurrants and then black cherry and blackberry. An opaque ruby-purple colour in the glass, with an intense, deep nose of pure blackcurrant, lifted sweet vanilla and hints of clove and nutmeg. Picked September 5th to October 8th with 79% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc, 6% merlot, 6% petit verdot, 2% malbec - this wine was raised for 18 months in new French oak barrels.
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